Connecticut (FoxNews) – The longest-married couple in America – who are set to celebrate their 81st anniversary on Monday – have one bit of advice on how to stay together so long: just roll with the punches.

“If you think a little bit about what you’re doing, and if it’s wrong… we straighten it out, and if not we just try to go along with it,” said Ann Betar, 97, who is married to 101-year-old John Betar.

The Betars eloped on Nov. 25, 1932, after leaving Bridgeport, Conn., for Harrison, N.Y., to avoid Ann’s father’s plans to have her marry a man 20 years her senior, MyFoxPhilly.com reports. Ann was 17 and John was 21 at the time.

Now eight decades later, the couple lives in Fairfield, Conn., and has five children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.